PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exert an effect equivalent to a depression symptom improving effect obtained by an electroconvulsion stimulation device, an effect equivalent to a depression symptom improving effect and an effect equivalent to a cognitive symptom improving effect obtained by a transcranial magnetic stimulation device, and to utilize this light exposure device etc. also in home environment as compared with an electroconvulsion stimulation device and a transcranial magnetic stimulation device which are limited to treatment in clinical institutions.SOLUTION: In a light irradiation device 20 for improving cognitive symptom and depression symptom according to the present invention, photostimulation is given to a retina by continuous flashing of a light source 21 of frequency of 1 to 10 Hz, Homer 1a is made to continuously express by the photostimulation, and BK-type potassium channel in pyramidal cell of cerebral cortex is activated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1COPYRIGHT: (C)2018,JPO&INPIT【課題】電気けいれん刺激装置によるうつ様症状改善効果と同等の効果、及び経頭蓋磁気刺激装置によるうつ様症状改善効果ならびに認知症状改善効果と同等の効果を発揮できるとともに、医療機関での治療に制限される電気けいれん刺激装置や経頭蓋磁気刺激装置と比較して、住環境でも利用できることを目的とする。【解決手段】本発明の認知症状やうつ様症状改善のための光照射装置20は、1~10Hzの周波数による光源21の連続点滅によって網膜に光刺激を与え、光刺激によってHomer1aを持続的に発現させ、大脳皮質の錐体細胞においてBK型カリウムチャンネルを活性化させることを特徴とする。【選択図】 図1
